As fame disturbs a quiet city tavern, its community confronts disturbing legacies and looming threats. Queens bartender Francis Smith worries that Peter Wilson will run in a Philadelphia marathon. Francis was involved in Peteras fatheras murder. So was Peter. Francis kept quiet while Peter headed west after threatening to kill barfly gambler Walter Demetrios. Now Francis prays Peter will stay away because violence would draw police attentionaand the wrath of bookmaker Johnny Furs. Reporter Regina Orlond tries to manipulate her marathon assignment into a promotion. She soon suspects a bigger story, despite Francisa efforts to bury it. Peter discovers Demetrios has made a deadline bet on him to pay off Johnny Furs. Peter vows to ruin everyone by losing the race. Francis, Peter and Regina must make hard choices. The rest of their lives, and those of Walter, his girlfriend and a little girl, will depend on the answers.